An Arne Engels exit from Celtic is ‘planned’ this summer, according to a report.
Engels recently returned to action for Martin O’Neill’s side after missing two months due to a thigh injury.
In January, things got interesting for the Belgian, with Nottingham Forest launching a Deadline Day move. Three bids — the last of which was worth £25 million — were all rejected.
It’s no surprise, then, that there’s plenty of interest still there ahead of the summer.
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Arne Engels: RB Leipzig ‘closely monitoring’ Celtic man
According to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Germany, Engels is “one to watch” ahead of the summer, with a Celtic exit planned.
RB Leipzig were linked with Engels in January, and are reportedly still “closely monitoring” the Belgian.
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There are reportedly clubs keen from the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A. Lazio’s interest in Engels was reported last month.
Brought to Glasgow by Brendan Rodgers as the club’s record signing in 2024, the midfielder has often divided opinion among the Parkhead support.
At the time of his arrival, he was widely seen as the replacement for Matt O’Riley, though he is evidently a very different player.
Instead of scoring 20 goals a season, Engels has functioned as a tireless, battling presence in the team’s midfield. He can hit a wicked corner, with Rodgers describing his delivery as “world class”.
However, at the beginning of the current season, he was largely a bench player for Rodgers. It wasn’t until the arrival of O’Neill that he began starting regularly.
Aged 22, he already has four international caps for Belgium to his name. His chances of a place in their World Cup squad look slim, however, as he is now without a cap in 18 months.
Speaking at the height of Forest’s interest, O’Neill was certainly protective of the midfielder.
Martin O’Neill: Engels bids rebuffed… unless they’re £100 million
Forest’s bid in January was initially sent during Celtic’s 2-0 win over Falkirk, in which Engels played.
Asked about it after the game, O’Neill said: “Honestly, I’m telling you, I didn’t know a thing about it.
“If they’d done it, then they must have done it during the game. No, no, no, seriously. No, seriously, because I didn’t know a thing about it.
“And I’d want it rebuffed, unless it was £100 million. And then I think the board would step in then.”
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